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April 2001 Issue

Ritual Lives in Jerusalem's Buildings

By Aviya Kushner

What can a stone building tell you? Any architect will rush to say: "a whole lot." Architecture can send a powerful message, and the newer institutional buildings in Jerusalem have managed to comply with the city's "stone-only" law while promoting the Zionist dream--a strong modern nation built on ancient rituals and beliefs.

One of Jerusalem's most interesting buildings is the Supreme Court. When I first visited the white, spacious building, I felt hope--something I've never experienced in a courthouse. The whole space is drenched with light, and there's no hint of the dark courtrooms of other countries.

The architects, the brother-sister team of Ada Karmi-Melamed and Ram Karmi of Tel Aviv, used three broad criteria in their design, location, historical significance, and overall character. Amazingly, a building can actually use its address to convey meaning.

That's because the location is between the Judaean desert to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west--a point of mediation. Next, historical significance is reflected in the repeated emphasis on law, justice and truth. Finally, the building's character is based on biblical images from traditional Jewish writings. Phrases relates to justice are displayed throughout the building, which was dedicated in November 1992.

Much of the building is open to the public. When you walk up the first passageway after entering through the doors of the Court, you'll immediately see a wide, beautiful view of the Nachla'ot neighborhood. Although the view is breathtaking, be sure to turn left and inspect the contents of the small glass display cases. There are excerpts from all kinds of legal "episodes" in Israel's history, ranging from the Bible to a 16th century BCE Akkadian tablet to the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Mishna.

Next, be sure to stop beneath the pyramid, located straight ahead. This pyramid is the official, formal entrance to the Supreme Court. Here, "law" and "truth" are straight lines which respresent the direct path, and "justice" is implied by the circles and curves, which are referred to in Psalms 23:3. "He will lead me in the circles of justice."

Then, you reach the benches in front of the courtrooms. Sitting outside the courtroom, you'll notice five gates to each of the five courtrooms. One woman sat down and told me this symbolized the five fingers of the hand of justice.

According to the guide, the judges descend from a higher floor using an elevator, because this higher level is considered closer to the heavens. Meanwhile, the accused is brought up from one of the jail cells downstairs.

At this point, with the mention of "jail," I was ready to walk outside to the sunlight. Outside, the Courtyard of the Arches continues the general theme of circles and straight lines, representing justice, truth, and law. The water channel, which cuts across the courtyard, is a straight line and several circles, with the largest circle under the window of the President of the Supreme Court. The courtyard reflects the verse from Psalms; "Truth will spring forth from the earth and justice will be reflected from the heavens."

From the Supreme Court you can walk to the Knesset. The Knesset is several decades older than the Supreme Court building, and its primary influence is classical. The straight, vertical lines are simple and dignified.

Once through passport control, the walk to the Knesset is wide and elegant. You'll walk through gates designed by Jerusalem sculptor David Palumbo, which are intended as a memorial to the Holocaust dead. The idea is to feel that you are walking from slavery into freedom, which explains the generous expanse of the walk toward the Knesset. After you've walked through the gates, you can see the hills of Jerusalem, and on most days, the area is bathed with light.

Inside, the seats are arranged in the shape of a menorah. The stone wall here, like that in the Supreme Court's courtrooms, is clearly intended to recall the Western Wall. There's only one portrait in the Knesset's main hall--that of Theodore Herzl, the father of Zionism.

Today's Knesset--named after the Knesset Gedola formed just after the destruction of the First Temple--is full of symbolism. Just outside the main hall, you can see three magnificent 18-foot panels designed by Marc Chagall. The tapestry required the work of 40 people over a period of four years, and they represent three different periods in Jewish history.

On the right, is Isaiah's vision, complete with the wolf dwelling with the lamb. The middle depicts the exodus from Egypt, the golden calf, and the wandering Jew who leaves the burning town behind. The six candles seem to represent the six million murdered Jews of Europe.

On the left is a depiction of the rise of the state of Israel. Scenes of dancing, shofars, and a rebuilt Jerusalem along with the word "Israel" in Hebrew fill that panel.

I rushed over to see a glass case with the scroll from the founding of the State of Israel. You can make out the signatures of many of Israel's greats. Outside, there's one more example of the importance of memory to the nation--an eternal flame in memory of Israel's fallen soldiers, and it's the burning bush that is never consumed.

The Supreme Court and the Knesset are not only places where ancient ritual lives, but they are buildings that aim to transmit the importance of those rituals to anyone lucky enough to visit.

This article is based on a piece that originally appeared in The International Jerusalem Post.

Aviya Kushner can be reached at AviyaK@aol.com

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